2016 Showing Competition Rules - NPS Scotland...A – RULES FOR SHOWING 3 A. RULES FOR SHOWING All NPS competitions must be run under the NPS Rules defined in this Rules Book. At shows

Secretary: Mrs Alicia M Hay Blairview,By Milnathort,

KY13 0SF07970 816416

2016Showing

&Competition Rules

www.npsscotland.co.uk

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1

A. RULES FOR SHOWING 1. Rules relating to NPS Membership 3 2. Rules relating to Ponies 5 3. Rules relating to Owners, Riders, Exhibitors and Handlers 8 4. Rules relating to Judges 11 5. Rules relating to Show Affiliation 18

B. RULES FOR DRUGS TESTING 1. Warning to Members 19 2. Definitions 19 3. Drugs Testing Procedure 19 4. Sampling and Analysis Procedure 20 5. Penalties 21

C. COMPLAINTS AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES 1. Overview 22 2. Objections and Complaints 23 3. J.M.B Objections 23 4. Bylaws of the National Pony Society 24 5. Social Media and Internet Policy 26

D. RULES FOR HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW QUALIFIERS 27

E. RULES FOR M&M RIDDEN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 1. M&M Open Ridden National Championship Ringside Stud MM-OR 28 2. M&M Young Open Ridden Pony National Championship Dargavel MM-4/5/6R 29 3. M&M Intermediate Ridden National Championship Peasedown Stud MM-IR 30 4. M&M Novice Ridden National Championship Picton MM-NR 31 5. M&M Junior Ridden National Championship Ryehouse Native Show Team MM-JR 32 6. M&M First Ridden National Championship Showing Classics MM-FR 33 7. M&M Novice First Ridden National Championship HorseQuest UK Ltd MM-NFR 33 8. M&M Leading Rein National Championship Showing Classics MM-LR 34 9. M&M Novice Leading Rein National Championship The King’s Head MM- NLR 34

F. RULES FOR M&M WORKING HUNTER PONY NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 1. M&M Working Hunter Pony Championship (RIHS) NAF MM-RIHS 35 2. M&M Working Hunter Pony National Championship TopSpec MM-WHP 36 3. M&M Intermediate Working Hunter Pony National Championship NPS Area 5 MM-IWHP 37 4. M&M Novice Working Hunter Pony National Championship NPS Area 25 MM-NWHP 38 5. Working Hunter Pony Training Stakes Competition (M&M & Plaited) MM- TSWHP 39 6. M&M Junior Working Hunter Pony National Championship NPS Area 25 MM-JWHP 40 7. M&M First Ridden Working Hunter Pony National Championship Stevenson Brothers MM-FRWHP 41

G. RULES FOR M&M IN HAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 1. M&M In Hand Summer National Championship Leyhills MM-IH 42 2. M&M Home Produced In Hand National Championship MM-HPIH 43

H. RULES FOR SHOW PONY/SHOW HUNTER PONY RIDDEN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 1. SP/SHP International Rider Challenge The Kellythorpe Stud SP-R 44 2. SP/SHP Novice Ridden National Championships LP Pallett Equestrian SandSP-NR 45 3. SP/SHP First Ridden National Championships Showing World Magazine SP-FR 46 4. SP/SHP Novice First Ridden Standalone SP-NFR 46 5. SP/SHP Leading Rein National Championships Showing World Magazine SP-LR 47 6. SP/SHP Novice Leading Rein Standalone SP-NLR 47

I. RULES FOR OPEN WORKING HUNTER CHAMPIONSHIPS 1. Open Working Hunter Pony National Championship Rivervalley Stud O-WHP 48

J. RULES FOR SHOW PONY/SHOW HUNTER PONY IN HAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 1. Show Pony In Hand Supreme National Championship NPS Area 20 SP-IH 49 2. Show Hunter Pony In Hand National Championship The Grahams HP-IH 50

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2

3. Show Pony Home Produced In Hand National Championship SP-HPIH 51

K. RULES FOR HOME PRODUCED RIDDEN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 1. Home Produced Ridden National Championship Rosettes Direct O-HPR 52 2. Amateur Ridden National Championship Hanover Dairies Ltd O-AM 53 3. OAP Ridden/In Hand National Championship Bright Family O-VR/IH 54

L. RULES FOR SILVER MEDAL ROSETTE CHAMPIONSHIPS 1. M&M In Hand Silver Medal Rosette Championship Kilmannan Stud SM-MMIH 55 2. M&M Ridden Silver Medal Rosette Championship The Minns SM-MMR 56 3. Show Pony In Hand Silver Medal Rosette Championship Laybalands Stud SM-SPIH 57 4. Show Hunter Pony In Hand Silver Medal Rosette Championship Litton Stud SM-HPIH 58

M. RULES FOR AREA CHAMPIONSHIPS 1. British Isles Area Supreme Ridden Championship Follywood Show Team BI-R 59 2. British Isles Area In Hand Championship NPS Area XI BI-IH 59 3. British Isles Area Working Hunter Pony Championship BI-WHP 60 4. Hack and Riding Horse In Hand Supreme Championship Ottergayle H-IH 61

N. RULES FOR WINTER CHAMPIONSHIPS 1. M&M Open Ridden Winter Championship WMM-OR 62 2. M&M Novice Ridden Winter Championship Hanover Dairies Ltd WMM-NR 63 3. M&M Pure Novice Ridden Winter Championship Hirstmund Stud WMM-PNR 64 4. M&M First Ridden Winter Championship WMM-FR 65 5. M&M Novice First Ridden Winter Championship Area 25 WMM-NFR 65 6. M&M Leading Rein Winter Championship WMM-LR 66 7. M&M Novice Leading Rein Winter Championship Marion Williams Memorial WMM-NLR 66 8. M&M In Hand Winter Championship Leyhills WMM-IH 67

O. RULES FOR YOUNG RIDER CHAMPIONSHIPS 1. Young Rider Championship The Underwood Family YRCH 68

P. RULES FOR PERFORMANCE CLASSES 1. Event Pony EP 69 2. Style and Performance Show Jumping TopSpec SJ 71 3. Dressage DR 71

WELFARE - BODY CONDITION SCORING INDEX 72

NPS AREAS - MAP AND ADDRESSES

The National Pony Society would like to thank The Welsh Pony and Cob Society for allowing the

NPS to adopt their Complaints and Disciplinary Procedures.

All Exhibitors when entering at NPS Shows must abide by the Rules as defined in the NPS Rule

Book.

Exhibitors should refer to the NPS website for any updates or changes to the Rules.

A – RULES FOR SHOWING

3

A. RULES FOR SHOWING

All NPS competitions must be run under the NPS Rules defined in this Rules Book.

At shows where the schedule states that a class is ‘To be judged under the rules of the NPS’ the

class will be judged according to the rules in this Rule Book.

Please be aware that in relation to Horse of the Year Show qualifying classes affiliated to the NPS,

there are separate Horse of the Year Show rules which take precedence over the Rules in this book,

and it is the Exhibitors responsibility to make themselves aware by downloading a copy of the

Horse of the Year Show Rules from www.hoys.co.uk

The General Rules in sections A, B and C apply to all classes run under NPS Rules as well as all

qualifying rounds and finals of the NPS competitions defined in sections E – Q of the Rules Book.

Rules covering Horse of the Year qualifiers will appear in a separate rule book available from

Horse of the Year Show.

No Member or Non Member shall behave in an offensive, abusive or unpleasant manner to any

person or any pony at any show, event, venue or workplace associated with the NPS, whether in

person, over the telephone or in writing.

Application for membership of the NPS, and acceptance thereof, shall be deemed to constitute an

agreement on the part of the member to abide by:

The charitable objects of the NPS

NPS general rules and procedures

NPS complaints and disciplinary procedures

Any member, who acts to the detriment of NPS, brings the Society into disrepute or breaches NPS

Rules, regulations or procedures shall be subject to the NPS Complaints and Disciplinary

Procedures defined in section C.

1. Rules relating to NPS Membership

1.1 General principles:

a) For NPS competitions and qualifying rounds run under NPS Rules it is the membership status of the owner of the pony that is relevant.

b) For Dressage, Style and Performance Show Jumping and Event Pony Performance, Qualifying or Life membership is required to enter the finals.

c) The owner of a pony must be over 18 years of age.

d) NPS membership runs on an annual basis from January to December.

e) The NPS does not require an annual showing fee per pony and ponies do not have to be added to an annual showing register. However, ponies must hold equine passports and for most NPS

competitions they need to be registered in one of the following stud books as appropriate to the

classes in which they are entered:

the Pure Bred section of an M&M Breed Society Stud Book

the NPS British Riding Pony Stud Book, Register, Appendix, International or Sports Pony section of the BRPSB.

the General Stud Book

the Arab Horse Society Stud Book

the Anglo Arab Stud Book


4

f) Membership will be suspended immediately if

Cheques made payable to the NPS, an NPS Area or an NPS Affiliated show are not honoured by the bank

If there are any outstanding monies owing to the NPS, an NPS Area or an NPS Affiliated show

If any trophies belonging to the NPS or an NPS Area are not returned by the requested date. A surcharge of £10 will be charged if replacement cheques have to be processed, along with all

relevant Bank charges incurred by the NPS, NPS Area or NPS Affiliated Show.

1.2 Membership Categories:

Qualifying membership is required for all finals and some qualifying rounds except where

otherwise stated. Life members have Qualifying membership. Some particular situations where

Qualifying membership is required are highlighted in the following sections.

1.3 Proof of membership:

Proof of Membership will be determined by the NPS Secretariat.

1.4 Riders:

Riders do not need to be members of the NPS except when riding at the final of the M&M Working

Hunter Pony Championship (RIHS) at Hickstead. Both junior and adult riders must be full

members of the NPS to ride in this final.

1.5 Qualifying rounds:

a) Qualifying rounds for most NPS Showing competitions are open to ponies owned by NPS members and non-members but only ponies owned by adult NPS members (Qualifying or Life

members) are eligible to qualify for the final of the competition. For Performance and British Isles

classes the owner does not need to be a member to qualify but will need a Qualifying or Life

membership to enter the final. For Ottergayle Hack and Riding Horse In Hand membership is not

required for qualification or entry into the final.

b) Criteria for specific competitions are included in the rules for the competitions (see sections E to P of this Rules Book). There are some significant exceptions which are highlighted here:

M&M Working Hunter Pony (RIHS) Championship. To enter any qualifying round for this competition the owner must be a Qualifying or Life member of the NPS.

Horse of the Year Show Competitions. For the Mountain and Moorland classes, the OWNER and RIDER need be a Qualifying Member of NPS, BSPS, The Showing Register or Ponies

UK or a Native Breed Society. For the plaited classes, the OWNER and RIDER needs to be a

Qualifying Member of NPS, BSPS, The Showing Register or Ponies (UK,) and the PONY

registered with either BSPS, Ponies (UK,) The Showing Register or NPS. Silver Medal Rosette Championships can be entered by NPS members and non-members but

only ponies owned by NPS Qualifying members can receive the Silver Medal and/or the

qualification. (See section A 1.3 a).

At Breed Shows owners do not have to be NPS members to enter qualifying rounds or to qualify for the finals. This includes Silver Medal Rosette Championships, but must become

Qualifying or Life members to enter the finals.

For British Isles Area competitions (see section M) owners do not have to be NPS members to enter qualifying rounds or to qualify for the finals, but must become Qualifying members

to enter the finals.

For the NPS Winter competitions (see section O) owners do not have to be NPS members to enter qualifying rounds or to qualify for the finals, but must become Qualifying members to

enter the finals.


5

1.6 Qualification Cards/Rosettes

a) Ponies qualifying at NPS Winter competitions go forward to the final at the NPS Spring Festival.

b) Ponies qualifying at NPS Summer competitions go forward to the NPS Summer Championship show. The exception is those ponies qualifying at shows held after the cut off date for the Summer

Championship show; these ponies go forward to the final at the following year’s Summer

Championship show. The cut off date is published on the NPS website and is normally two or

three weeks before the NPS Summer Championship show.

c) The highest placed pony in each qualifying round will qualify; qualification will go no lower than third place. A pony may only qualify once. It is the responsibility of the owner / producer to

ensure that the rider / handler knows whether their pony has already qualified and whether or not

they are entitled to take the qualification. The Owner of the pony’s membership card must be

carried by the rider / handler and produced immediately when requested in the ring to

receive the majority of qualifications. The exceptions to this are listed on their individual

class page in this booklet.

d) Silver Medal Rosettes will be awarded on the day of the Show following the production of the owner of the pony’s current Qualifying/Life Membership card in the ring. Rules as above.

1.7 Finals of NPS competitions at the NPS Shows:

Qualifying or Life membership is required for entry in all finals at the NPS Spring Festival and the

NPS Summer Championship show, including the Silver Medal Rosette Championship finals;

excluding Ottergayle Hack & Riding Horse In Hand where no membership is required. This

includes finalists from the Breed Shows and from the winter competitions. Qualifying membership

also entitles members to reduced entry fees for classes at these shows.

1.8 Finals of NPS competitions held at other shows:

At the M&M Working Hunter Pony Championship (RIHS) final at Hickstead the rider must

also be an NPS Qualifying or Life member.

2. Rules relating to Ponies

2.1 General principles:

a) The age of the pony is calculated from January 1st in the year of its birth.

b) All ridden ponies must be four years old or over. Mares with a living foal born during the current season are not eligible to compete in ridden classes.

c) All ponies must hold a valid equine passport in the name of the legal owner.

d) All ponies, four years old or over, come under the jurisdiction of the Joint Measurement Board.

e) No Ridden pony to be shown on a leading rein except those entered in Leading Rein classes.

f) The judge may require that a pony which constitutes a danger leaves the ring; the judge’s decision is final.

g) Winnings in the NPS Winter competitions will not debar novice ponies from entering NPS M&M Novice Ridden competitions in the following summer.

2.2 Mountain and Moorland ponies.

a) All ponies exhibited in NPS M&M classes must be registered in the main body of the Pure Bred

M&M Stud Book of their respective breeds at the time of entry and entered in the name and

ownership under which they have been registered. Part Breds are not eligible and ponies

registered in the X section are excluded.

b) All ponies exhibited in NPS M&M classes are to be trimmed only within their Breed Society


6

specification. Manes must not be plaited and tails not braided. No false hair or hair dyeing

allowed. Ponies are restricted to the height limits laid down by their appropriate Breed Societies

(see d) below) and may be measured at the judge’s discretion.

c) Large Breeds must not exceed 148cms, with the exception of Dales and Welsh Section D Cobs for

which the respective Breed Society definition includes larger height ponies.

d) CONNEMARA 12.2hh - 14.2hh (128cm – 148cm)

DALES Preferred height range 14hh - 14.2hh (142.2cm – 148cm)

(Ponies above and below this range to be placed at the discretion of the

judges)

DARTMOOR Not exceeding 12.2hh (127cm)

EXMOOR Preferred height range

Stallions and geldings 11.3hh - 12.3hh (119.4cm – 129.5cm)

Mares 11.2hh - 12.2hh (116.8cm – 127cm)

FELL Not exceeding 14hh (142.2cm)

HIGHLAND Not exceeding 14.2hh (148cm)

NEW FOREST Not exceeding 14.2hh (148cm)

SHETLAND Not exceeding 42 inches (107cm)

WELSH A Not exceeding 12hh (121.9 cm)

WELSH B Not exceeding 13.2hh (137.2 cm)

WELSH C Not exceeding 13.2hh (137.2 cm)

WELSH D Exceeding 13.2hh (137.2 cm) no upper height limit

2.3 Show Ponies and Show Hunter Ponies.

a) Ponies entered in NPS Show Pony and Show Hunter Pony In Hand classes must be registered in the NPS British Riding Pony Stud Book, Register, Appendix, International or Sports Pony section

of the BRPSB; the GSB; the AHSB; the AASB, or registered in the main body of their respective

M&M Stud Book. Part breds are not eligible unless entered in the NPS British Riding Pony Stud

Book, Register, Appendix, International or Sports Pony section of the BRPSB.

b) Ponies entered in NPS Show Pony and Show Hunter Pony Ridden classes must be registered in the NPS British Riding Pony Stud Book, Register, Appendix, International or Sports Pony section

of the BRPSB; the GSB; the AHSB; the AASB, or registered in the main body of their respective

M&M Stud Book. Part breds are not eligible unless entered in the NPS British Riding Pony Stud

Book, Register, Appendix, International or Sports Pony section of the BRPSB.

c) Ponies must be entered in the name and ownership under which they have been registered and must be shown under their registered name.

d) Manes must be plaited in all classes.

2.4 Show Jumping Ponies

Ponies entered in the NPS Show Jumping Competition must be entered in a recognized Stud Book

2.5 Hacks and Riding Horses.

Ponies and horses entering the NPS Hack and Riding Horse In Hand classes do not have to meet any

specific registration criteria but must have equine passports.


7

2.6 Open Working Hunter Ponies

Ponies entering the NPS Open Working Hunter Pony classes do not have to meet any specific

registration criteria but must have equine passports and manes must be plaited.

2.7 Bridles and Bits:

a) Where there are no specific Rules relating to use of bridles and bits in the Rule Book (either in this section or in the rules for the particular competition) the judge should take into account the

suitability of the bridle and bit, based on the rider’s competence and the way the pony is going in

the class.

b) All ponies in Novice classes, except the M&M Novice First Ridden classes and the M&M Novice Ridden Winter classes, must be shown in a snaffle.

c) All ponies in Leading Rein classes must be shown in a snaffle. The leading rein must be attached to the noseband only and the reins must go directly from the bit to the rider’s hands. The only

attachments to the saddle allowed are a crupper, or handle. Reins must not be attached to the

handle or the saddle. The reins must be a normal length and not knotted or stitched together

at a shorter length.

d) Side reins/draw reins/grass reins are not permitted when riding on the showground.

e) In Hand stallions and colts 2 years old or over must be adequately bitted and MUST display a stallion bridle marker available from the NPS office or from any other society.

f) M&M brood mares may be shown in a halter, leather head collar or any bridle. Other brood mares may be shown in a leather head collar or any bridle.

g) M&M youngstock may be shown in a halter, leather head collar or snaffle bridle. Other youngstock may be shown in a leather head collar or snaffle bridle.

h) All foals must be shown in a halter or leather head collar. No foal may be shown in a bit of any type.

i) Ponies will not be penalised for wearing nose mesh nets providing they are not head shaking.

j) Flash and drop nosebands are to be discouraged in flat ridden classes.

2.8 Stallions:

All stallions and colts 2 years old or over must hold a Stallion Licence, unless otherwise governed

by their individual Breed Society.

Ridden stallions MUST display a stallion bridle marker available from the NPS office or from

any other society.

2.9 Brood Mares:

a) Brood mares must be four years old or over. (A Brood mare to be shown with her own foal at foot, or certified in foal with a vets certificate)

b) A mare that has lost her foal in the current year may, on production of a vet's certificate, compete in a Brood Mare class.

c) A Barren Mare is defined as a mare without a foal at foot and not in foal. Barren mares are not eligible for Brood Mare classes.

2.10 Foals:

a) All foals must be at least four weeks old on the day of the show and must accompany their dam into the ring and be led alongside the mare as much as possible.


8

b) At Foal Shows:-

Foals must be weaned

Foals must not be shown under 20 weeks of age

Foals must only be shown in a halter or head collar

No foal to be shown in a bit of any type

No foal to be lunged

No foal to be body clipped

c) Foals are not eligible for Silver Medal Rosette Championships

2.11 Heights:

The following height conversion table will be used:

Hands Cms

12.0 122

12.2 128

13.0 133

13.2 138

14.0 143

14.2 148

15.0 153

15.2 158

2.12 Youngstock Heights:

Recommended heights for young stock on the day of the show are as in the following table (1cm,

approx. quarter of an inch, may be allowed for shoes).

Show Pony and Show Hunter pony youngstock may be required to be measured at the show before

their classes. The smaller height class should be judged first so that ponies that are measured out can

compete in the next height section.

Adult Height Yearling 2 Year Old 3 Year Old

122 cm (12.0 h.h.) 117 cm 120 cm 121 cm

128 cm (12.2 h.h.) 123 cm 126 cm 127 cm

133 cm (13.0 h.h.) 128 cm 131 cm 132 cm

138 cm (13.2 h.h.) 133 cm 136 cm 137 cm

143 cm (14.0 h.h.) 138 cm 141 cm 142 cm

148 cm (14.2 h.h.) 143 cm 146 cm 147 cm

153 cm (15.0 h.h.) 148 cm 151 cm 152 cm

3. Rules relating to Owners, Riders and Handlers

The NPS would point out that the onus is on the Owner, Rider, Handler, and Exhibitor to ensure the

Rules on Impartiality are followed. Members are advised to thoroughly investigate past connections

of their exhibits to avoid any problems

For the benefit of these rules, where a pony is leased, it will be treated as the property of the

Lessee/Borrower, who will be defined as the Owner for showing purposes

3.1 Impartiality:

The NPS seeks to ensure that all its competitions are judged fairly and that there is no bias or

favoritism. This is only achievable if owners, producers, riders, handlers and judges observe the

following rules, in the spirit in which they are intended.


9

a) NB. The definition of a Professional Producer/Trainer is - A person who undertakes the preparation and /or production of ponies/horses belonging to other exhibitors for the show ring

including at a show. A producer is someone who has a pony on their yard to show for the client

and therefore has a financial interest.

b) No pony will be eligible for the final if the breeder or previous owners will be judging the final.

c) A pony may not be exhibited in a class or final where the pony or its owner/producer/rider/handler

has one of the following, or similar, connections with the judge:

the horse/pony has been under the ownership or production of any person for whom the judge, his/her partner or business partner has provided or obtained livery or had any other connection

(business or otherwise) since 1st January of the preceding year. Stud fees are exempt as per

society guidelines.

the horse/pony is or has been owned, bred, produced, trained or exhibited by the judge, a relative, business partner or partner. (NB: Group teach-ins and demos are exempt)

the rider has shown a horse/pony owned, produced or trained by the judge since the 1st January of the preceding year. (NB: Group teach-ins and demos are exempt)

the horse/pony is owned or produced by a person from whom the judge has purchased horses/ponies or to whom he/she sold horses/ponies since 1st January of the preceding year in

which he/she is judging.

d) The onus is on the exhibitor to stand down in any class, championship or final where there is an

infringement of 3.1.

3.2 Rider’s and Handler’s Age:

a) In classes run under NPS Rules the ages of riders and handlers are all taken as at 1st January of the current year.

b) No child under the age of 3 may compete.

c) In Mountain and Moorland classes riders of stallions must be 12 years old or over when riding small breeds (Shetland, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Welsh A & B). For large breeds (Highland, Fell,

Dales, Connemara, New Forest, Welsh C & D) riders of stallions must be 14 years old or over.

d) In Show Pony/Show Hunter Pony classes riders must be 12 years old or over when riding stallions not exceeding 128 cm and 14 years old or over when riding stallions exceeding 128cms.

e) Handlers of stallions or colts must be 14 years old or over.

f) People leading ponies in Leading Rein classes must be sixteen years old or over.

g) Where there are no specific rules relating to the rider in the Rules Book (either in this section or in the rules for the particular competition) the judge can take into account the suitability of the rider

for the size of the pony.

h) In M&M Lead Rein classes, riders not to have attained their 9th birthday by the 1st January in the current year.

i) In M&M First Ridden classes, riders not to have attained their 12th birthday by 1st January in the current year.

j) In Plaited Lead Rein classes, riders not to have attained their 8th birthday for Show Ponies and their 9

th for Show Hunter Ponies by 1

st January in the current year.

k) In Plaited First Ridden classes, riders not to have attained their 10th birthday by 1st January in the current year.


10

3.3 Attire and Equipment:

a) Correctly secured Skull Caps/Riding Hats that meet one of the following current Safety Standards MUST be worn by all Riders. All PAS 015; VG1; ASTM F1163 04a onwards;

SNELL E2001; AS/NZS 3838 2003 onwards. The EN1384, BSEN1384 may also be worn

until 1st January 2017, unless otherwise notified.

b) Handlers of ponies in In Hand classes aged 14 years and under must wear a correctly secured skull caps/riding hat that meets one of the above standards.

c) Riders, handlers and their grooms must, at all times, present themselves in the show ring neatly and smartly dressed.

d) It is recommended that riders of M&M ponies wear tweed jackets.

e) Whips/canes must not exceed an overall length of 76 cms (30 inches) and if they are misused, in the opinion of the judge, the rider may be sent out of the ring and may also be reported to the NPS

Disciplinary Committee

f) The wearing of spurs in NPS affiliated classes is forbidden.

g) Riders are not permitted to wear earrings and/or body studs.

h) In Ridden M&M classes at Breed Shows, where a judge may ride, riders using very small stirrup irons are requested to bring a spare set of irons and leathers of a suitable size for the judge.

i) Bandages and protective pads on ponies’ feet, or bar shoes, are not allowed.

3.4 Organisation of Classes:

a) The class is closed and ponies will not be allowed into the ring: In Hand - When the last pony has done its individual trot around the ring before being lined up

Ridden - When the class goes into trot

Lead Rein- When the last pony has done its individual trot

WHP - 2 minutes after the last pony has jumped

b) Riders may not enter ponies in NPS qualifying rounds Hors Concours.

c) Ponies may not be ridden side saddle in Leading Rein or First Ridden classes.

d) Ponies will not be ridden by the judge except at Breed Shows and at the NPS Championship Show

e) At the finals or where there are more than 20 entries forward, classes may be sub-divided and two judges may be used.

f) In open Ridden classes ponies must walk, trot and canter with a change of rein, together as a class (not gallop).

g) In some classes individual ponies may gallop but a whole class must never gallop together.

h) In NPS qualifying Ridden classes, excluding Leading Rein and First Ridden, a minimum of 6 ponies must be stripped but not necessarily the first 6. When NPS First Ridden classes are run in

conjunction with Horse of the Year Show qualifiers then all ponies must be stripped; in other NPS

First Ridden classes ponies are not stripped. In NPS Leading Rein classes ponies are not stripped.

i) In ALL NPS Finals, ALL ANIMALS forward must be stripped.

j) A fall of pony or rider in any class will result in disqualification. The rider must not remount in the ring.

k) No change of rider/handler will be allowed throughout a class except where a rider/handler is incapacitated and the judge gives permission for the change.

l) The rider/handler may not remove their pony or themselves from the ring during judging, without the judge's permission. The class ends when the judge dismisses the class.


11

m) Where a rider qualifies more than one pony for a championship they must elect eligible substitute riders for the other ponies for the championship.

3.5 Organisation of the Showground:

a) It is the owner’s due diligence to ensure that horses and ponies are not left unattended whilst tied to the side of trailers or lorries.

b) Lunging is allowable; if side reins are used they should only be used outside the ring with a snaffle bridle or cavesson.

3.6 Eligibility for Home Produced classes:

a) Classes are open to horses/ponies that have been stabled at home (without any paid assistance) or kept at livery on a DIY basis or at stud, since 1


b) Rider/handlers must not have shown any horse/pony produced by a Professional producer/trainer at any show since 1


c) Ponies must not be shown by a rider/handler who has shown for a Professional producer/trainer at any show since the 1


d) To be owned/kept, produced, ridden/handled by a person who does not receive remuneration in cash or kind from working with horses/ponies. No professional producers

are allowed into the ring to groom/strip the horse/pony.

e) The definition of a Professional producer/trainer is – A person who undertakes the preparation and/or production of ponies/horses belonging to other exhibitors for the show ring including at a

show.

NB: THE NPS EXPECTS COMPETITORS TO ACCEPT THE RULES OF HOME PRODUCED

COMPETITIONS IN THE SPIRIT INTENDED.

4 Rules relating to Judges

4.1 General:

Judges must be familiar with and uphold all the rules in this Rules Book. The Rules in this section

are just those specific to judges. All judges must understand and adjudicate according to all the

Rules for Showing and the specific rules for the competitions they judge as defined in sections D to

L of this Rule Book.

4.2 Appointment of judges:

a) The NPS Council may appoint any Member, in its absolute discretion, to the Panel of Judges to adjudicate events at shows where the objects and interests of the Society are promoted. All

members who consent to be appointed to the Panel of Judges agree, as a condition of taking up

their appointment, to be bound by these Rules.

b) The Council reserves the right to amend, add to or subtract from these Rules provided that no such amendment, addition nor subtraction from these Rules shall have retroactive effect nor shall be

effective until published to all Members of the Society.

c) Judges will be re-elected annually. The appointment of a member to the Panel of Judges will be valid for a period of one year from the effective date of appointment. The effective date of

appointment is the 1st December in each year or other such date as the Council may from time to

time decide. A member will cease to be a judge if the appointment to the Panel of Judges is not

renewed within one year of the effective date of appointment. The names of members who have

consented to be appointed to the Panel of Judges will be published by the Council.

d) All members of the Panel of Judges must be members of the NPS. Judges who do not renew their membership will be removed from the Panel of Judges.

e) The National Pony Society reserves the right to monitor judges whilst judging NPS affiliated


12

classes.

f) Everyone on the Panel of Judges must attend at least one NPS Judges’ Conference / Study Day every FOUR years to keep themselves up to date and aware of judging issues and Breed

Standards. Judges who fail to do this may be removed from the Panel of Judges.

g) Instances where a judge fails to observe these Rules, or whose conduct is seen by the NPS Council as prejudicial to the character or interests of the NPS, will be handled under the

Complaints and Disciplinary Procedures (see section C).

h) The Council will review the position of any judge who receives a serious judging complaint and may remove the judge from the Panel of Judges or ask them to retrain.

i) The Council may use its absolute discretion in inviting suitably qualified judges, to officiate at NPS Shows, Spring and Summer.

j) Judges should expect to receive reasonable traveling expenses, at a recommended mileage rate of up to 30p per mile.

4.3 Impartiality:

a) The NPS seeks to ensure that all its competitions are judged fairly and that there is no bias or favouritism. This is only achievable if owners, producers, riders, handlers and judges observe the

following rules in the spirit in which they are intended.

b) NB. The definition of a Professional Producer/Trainer is - A person who undertakes the preparation and /or production of ponies/horses belonging to other exhibitors for the show ring

including at a show. A producer is someone who has a pony on their yard to show for the client

and therefore has a financial interest.

c) No pony is eligible for the final if the breeder or owner will be judging the final.

d) A judge may not adjudicate a class or final in which, to the judge’s knowledge, there is a pony that has one of the following, or similar, connections with the judge:

the pony has been bred, sold, leased, produced, broken, trained or ridden by the judge or by the judge’s immediate family, or by someone with whom the judge resides or has a personal

relationship.

the pony has been bred, sold, leased, produced, broken, ridden or trained by the judge’s employer, employee or business partner/associate.

the owner/producer/rider/handler has, within the last 12 months, exhibited in the show ring or produced a pony for the judge or the judge’s immediate family, or for someone with

whom the judge resides or has a personal relationship

the owner/producer/rider/handler has, within the last 12 months, exhibited in the show ring or produced a pony for the judge’s employer, employee or business partner/associate.

the owner/producer/rider/handler has entered into a commercial undertaking with the judge within the previous 12 months (stud fees are excluded).

the judge has shown a pony/horse on behalf of the owner/exhibitor/producer within the last 12 months

e) The onus is on the exhibitor to stand down in any class, championship or final where there is an infringement of 3.1.

f) A Judge may not have as their Steward any person who owns a pony, has bred a pony or has any other interest, financial or otherwise, in a pony in the class being judged.

4.4 Eligibility to judge classes:

General:

a) At all Shows affiliated to the NPS, judges must be on the appropriate NPS Judges Panel - Riding Pony Breeding Panel, Hunter Pony Breeding Panel, Mixed M&M Panel, Working Hunter Pony


13

Panel, Open Working Hunter Pony Panel or the appropriate Breed Society Panel. All NPS

qualifying rounds and Silver Medal Rosette Championships must be judged by NPS approved

judges.

b) Judges must not accept judging appointments for classes for which they are not qualified.

c) Judges on NPS Panels should exercise discretion in accepting invitations to judge the same type of class in the same area in any one year. Judges are requested not to judge two qualifying rounds for

the same competition in the same area of the country.

d) Judges who are invited and accept an invitation to judge NPS competitions may only accept to judge, in the same year, the same classes at other shows if they are more than 50 miles apart.

e) The judge who will be judging the final of an NPS competition, at the NPS Spring Festival or the NPS Summer Championship show, may not judge a qualifying round for that same competition.

Limitations on the number of qualifying rounds a judge can take on per year:

f) For most competitions judges may only judge three qualifying rounds per year. The exceptions are as follows:

For the NPS M&M Working Hunter Pony Royal International Horse Show Championship a judge may only judge two qualifying rounds per year.

For the NPS/Baileys Horse Feeds M&M (Horse of the Year Show) Ridden Championship judges may only judge one qualifying round in accordance with the Horse of the Year Show

rule book.

g) In exceptional circumstances, judges may, with the approval of the NPS Judges Selection Chairman or Competitions Chairman, judge extra qualifying rounds for an NPS Championship.

h) In the event of a judge being unable to fulfill his/her judging commitment they must immediately inform the show secretary and make every effort to find a replacement judge.

Show Pony/Show Hunter Pony classes: i) For Show Pony In Hand and/or Ridden classes the judge must be on the NPS Riding Pony

Breeding Panel.

j) For Show Hunter Pony In Hand and/or Ridden classes the judge must be on the NPS Hunter Pony Breeding Panel.

k) For combined Show Pony/Show Hunter Pony Ridden classes the judge may be on either the NPS Riding Pony Breeding Panel or the Hunter Pony Breeding Panel.

Mountain and Moorland Classes: l) For mixed M&M classes the judge must be on the NPS Mixed M&M Panel, except for classes of

a single breed when the rules are as follows:

At Breed Shows the judge may be on the panel of the breed concerned

At shows where there are two or more In Hand classes restricted to a single Mountain & Moorland breed, the judge must be on the Judges Panel of that breed.

Where there is only one In Hand class restricted to a single breed the judge may be from the breed panel concerned or from the NPS Mixed M&M Panel

N.B. Each section of Welsh Stud Book is treated as one breed.

m) At Breed Shows, M&M classes and M&M Silver Medal Rosette Championships can be judged by an NPS Panel judge or a judge from the Breed Panel concerned.

n) For M&M Working Hunter Pony classes the judge must be on the NPS M&M Working Hunter Pony Panel. The exception is Breed Shows where the judge can be on the panel of the breed

concerned.


14

o) For Open Working Hunter Pony classes the judge must be on the NPS Plaited Working Hunter Pony Panel

p) For Style & Performance SJ classes the judge must be on either the WHP or PWHP panels.

q) For the NPS/Baileys Horse Feeds Mountain and Moorland Ridden Pony of the Year Qualifiers

Judges for mixed classes may be selected from either the NPS Mixed MM A Panel, TSR H M&M panel or P(UK) Platinum panel. Shows running single breed classes may select

judges from the appropriate breed panel.

Judges may only judge one qualifying round per year

All HOYS class judging appointments are subject to ratification by Grandstand Media Ltd

r) Judges who have Axx (where xx is the year they were appointed) in the Official List of Judges and Rules are not eligible to Judge Horse of the Year Show M&M CLASSES,

RIHS M&M WHP. Judges must be on the ‘Approved Senior Judges list for probationary

Judges 2016’ to take probationary judges to assess.

s) Judges who have cWHP must not judge the jumping section of any working hunter qualifiers

t) For the Hack and Riding Horse In Hand Supreme Championship the judge must be on the British Show Horse Association Panel.

u) For the British Isles Area Supreme Ridden and In Hand Championships the judge may or may not be an NPS judge but must be on a recognized horse/pony panel. For the final of the

British Isles Area In Hand Championship there must be three judges, one from the Mixed M&M

Panel, one from the Riding Pony Breeding Panel or the Hunter Pony Breeding Panel and one

invited from another Society’s Panel.

Silver Medal Rosette Championships: v) Silver Medal Rosette Championships must not be judged jointly by two judges.

w) The judge of the Championship and the classes leading up to it must be on the appropriate NPS Panel. (Except for Breed Shows, where they may be from the Breed panel concerned.)

4.5 Awarding Silver Medal Rosettes and Qualification Cards

a) Please note that qualification cards will be issued for all Competitions.

b) Under the following circumstances the owner doesn’t have to be an NPS member to receive a Silver Medal or to qualify for the final of a competition

- At Breed shows (Silver Medals)

- For the British Isles Area competitions (see section M)

- For the NPS Winter competitions (see section O)

- For the Showjumping, Event Pony and Dressage competitions

- For the Ottergayle Hack and Riding Horse in Hand

c) If in the judge’s opinion the class is of insufficient merit to warrant awarding the qualifier the judge may withhold the qualifying rosettes and cards but still award the show’s rosettes.

4.6 Judging:

a) Judges must only be accompanied in the ring by persons appointed by the show or a Probationer Judge approved by the NPS Council.


15

b) Judges are asked to always have their Rules Book with them in the ring as it is their

responsibility to see that everyone adheres to the NPS Rules. Additional copies of the rule

book may be requested from the NPS Office free of charge to Judges.

c) Whilst Judges are encouraged to carry schedules, they are forbidden to refer to the show catalogue either prior to judging, or while judging their classes.

d) If, in the opinion of the judge, any pony entered for an event, adjudicated or to be adjudicated by the judge, is in an unsound condition, the judge may, at his/her discretion, require the rider/handler

to withdraw the pony from the class, subject to the right of the rider/handler to refer the matter to

the Veterinary Surgeon, if any, officiating at the show.

e) If, in the judge's opinion a rider/handler or their pony's conduct is detrimental to the character and interests of the NPS they may eliminate them from the class and they may also report them to the

NPS Disciplinary Committee.

f) The judge may require that a pony which constitutes a danger leaves the ring; the judge’s decision is final.

g) If a judge has reasonable grounds to believe that a rule is being contravened the judge must ask the rider/handler to leave the ring and the pony must be withdrawn. The judge's decision is final

in all cases.

h) Where more than 20 ponies are forward in any class, the class may be split. The judge should split the class according to the circumstances at the time.

i) When judging M&M classes judges should take into consideration whether ponies have been trimmed within their Breed Society specification; manes must not be plaited and tails must not be

braided.

j) When judging M&M classes using the Marks System, 50 marks are allocated for ride/manners and 50 for conformation/Breed type. Where there is an equality of marks, the ride marks take

precedence, however if there still remains a tie then the judge’s decision is final.

k) At Finals, The National Pony Society reserves the right to have (use) unofficial mark sheets for the judges’ reference only. The mark sheets will NOT be for public display.

l) When judging Show Pony / Show Hunter Pony classes using the Marks System, 50 marks are allocated for ride/manners and 50 for conformation/ type. Where there is an equality of marks,

the ride marks take precedence, however if there still remains a tie then the judge’s decision is

final.

m) When judging Brood Mare classes, judges must take the condition of the foal into account.

n) Organisation of classes – judges must take special note of the rules in section A 3.4 relating to organisation of classes.

o) Where there are no specific rules relating to use of bridles and bits in the Rules Book (either in this section or in the rules for the particular competition) the judge can take into account the

suitability of the bridle and bit, based on the rider’s competence and the way the pony is going in

the class.

p) All ponies in Novice classes, except the M&M Novice First Ridden classes and the M&M Novice Winter classes, must be shown in a snaffle bit.

q) All ponies in Leading Rein classes must be shown in a snaffle bit. The leading rein must be attached to the noseband only and the reins must go directly from the bit to the rider’s hands. The

only attachments to the saddle allowed are a crupper, or handle. Reins must not be attached to

the handle or the saddle. The reins must be a normal length and not knotted or stitched

together at a shorter length.


16

4.7 Judging Working Hunter Pony classes

a) The judge should take into account the ring size, the state of the ground and conditions prevailing before setting and approving the height of the course.

b) No person other than the judge and official course builder appointed by the show is permitted to alter the course.

c) Fences should be of ‘hunting type’ built with rustic materials and be as substantial as possible. The course must be free flowing to encourage natural paces in both plaited and native ponies.

d) The maximum spread must be at the base of the fence; not more than three fences may be of maximum spread. The width of the water jumps should not exceed the maximum spread in each

section.

e) It is recommended that riders are allowed to walk the course on foot before their class.

f) Riders may only ride one pony in each class.

g) No change of rider or saddlery is allowed between phases or during a phase. Protective front boots only may be used for the jumping and ridden phases only. Bandages and protective pads on

ponies’ feet are not allowed.

h) Once judging has commenced, if a pony leaves the ring, it will be eliminated from the class.

i) Marking: M&M WHP Jumping 50

Style whilst jumping 20

Type and conformation 20

Individual show and manners within type 10

Marking: Plaited WHP

PHASE ONE

Jumping 50

Style & Manners while Jumping 20

PHASE TWO

Manners 10

Conformation, Type & Freedom of Action 20

Penalties: M&M and Plaited

Jump knock down 10 faults

First refusal 15 faults

Second refusal 20 faults

Third refusal Elimination

Fall of pony or rider Disqualification

j) A refusal is when a pony turns its quarters to a fence or turns a complete circle in front of a fence, or stops in front of a fence and takes at least one step backwards, with any one foot.

k) No penalty is incurred unless the maximum height of the fence is lowered in the same vertical plane.

l) The water splash is treated for marking purposes like any other obstacle. Competitors may splash through it or jump it, both approaches are acceptable.

m) The jumping phase will be taken first and any pony eliminated will not be required again. The ponies called forward to the final judging will be those with clear rounds, but those with 10 faults

or more can be included at the judge’s discretion.


17

n) In the event of a tie, the highest jumping mark, followed by the individual performance mark followed by the conformation mark will prevail. If all 3 marks are the same the judge’s decision

is final.

o) Except in Cradle Stakes, Nursery Stakes and First Ridden WHP classes, ponies may be galloped at the discretion of the Judge, but not more than one at a time.

p) All ponies forward for final judging must be stripped.

4.8 Rules relating to SP/SHP:

Show Ponies and Intermediate Show Riding Type Ponies

a) Galloping – 128cm show ponies may be galloped singularly or in their individual shows. 138 and 148cm show ponies may be galloped in their individual shows, or not more than 4 at a time.

b) Animals in Intermediate show riding type classes or championships may be galloped all together.

Lead Rein Show Ponies

a) No child under 3 years of age may compete b) In lead rein classes the leader must be 16 years old or over and may only lead one pony in a class. c) The attendant must affix the lead rein to the noseband, on which it must remain while the pony is

in the ring. Whilst in the ring ponies must be lead at all times by a handler.

d) Riders in lead rein classes will not be asked to dismount, and ponies will not be stripped. e) Cantering will not be allowed.

First Ridden Show Ponies

a) No cantering is allowed except for individual performances. Ponies should leave the ring at a walk or trot.

Show Hunter Ponies and Intermediate Show Hunter

a) Galloping – 122cm, 133cm and 143cm show hunter ponies may be galloped individually or four at a time. 153cm ponies and intermediate show hunters may be galloped altogether. In a SHP

championship the 122cm SHP may be galloped individually or with the 133cm SHP. The 143cm

and 153cm animals may be galloped together.

Lead Rein Pony of Show Hunter type

a) In these classes the judge will be looking for a pony suitable to take its rider on country and town activities on the leading rein.

b) This is not a handy pony competition, but in their individual show ponies will be asked to negotiate small rural obstacles, but without water and without jumping. Ponies must not be asked

to walk on artificial material, or to walk over obstacles other than a single pole on the ground.

c) Riders will not be asked to dismount.

First Ridden Show Hunter Ponies

a) No cantering is allowed except for individual performances. Ponies must leave the ring at a walk

or trot.


18

5. Rules relating to Show Affiliation

a) Qualifying rounds for NPS Summer competitions will be held at shows between 1 March and 30 September each year. Qualifying rounds for the NPS Winter competitions will be held between

1st September and the 31

st March each year. The exceptions are the Silver Medal Rosette

Championships which may be held outside these timescales.

b) Qualifying rounds for the NPS Style & Performance SJ, can be held at any time of year.

c) All shows wishing to affiliate to the NPS must complete an affiliation form, pay the affiliation fee and submit a draft schedule and list of judges. The NPS will review the relevant parts of the

schedule, validate the use of judges and provide feedback prior to the schedule going to print. The

names of the judges must be clearly stated in the schedule. In the event of a change of judge, the

show must immediately inform the NPS and seek approval of the substitute judge. The NPS

reserves the right to refuse affiliation.

d) There are special considerations for judging Silver Medal Championships. The judge of the Championship and the classes leading up to it must be on the appropriate NPS Panel or the

relevant Breed Panel if it is a Breed Show. Welsh A,B,C and D can be judged by any Welsh panel

judge provided no Welsh Medals are awarded at the show. The Championship must be judged by

one judge and that judge’s name must be printed in the schedule.

e) Shows holding qualifying rounds for the M&M Working Hunter Pony RIHS Championship must charge a levy on entries as specified by the RIHS. At least six rosettes must be awarded in each

class and the minimum prize money in each class must be: 1st - £25, 2

nd - £15, 3

rd - £10.

f) Where more than 20 ponies are forward in any NPS class, the class may be split. The Judge should split the class according to the circumstances at the time. Prize money and rosettes should

be provided for the new class. The top ponies from each class are then put together for final

judging and the decision on who qualifies.

g) Breed Societies, including regional societies, may apply for special “NPS Breed Show” status. At Breed Shows competitors of the relevant breed can qualify without the normal restrictions on

membership. The Owner of a pony must become a qualifying member of the NPS to enter the

Final.

h) NPS Areas holding Foal Shows and calling them NPS shows must affiliate and send in schedules for checking. Schedules must incorporate the rules as in section A 2.10.

B – RULES FOR DRUGS TESTING

19

B. RULES FOR DRUGS TESTING

1. Warning to Members

a) Members and other exhibitors are advised that any Drugs Testing conducted by the NPS at NPS Shows or NPS Affiliated Shows will be in accordance with these rules.

b) In common with other similar bodies, the NPS takes a very serious view of doping, whether intentional or unintentional, having particular regard to the safety of children. Members should be

aware that many proprietary feeds and preparations contain Prohibited Substances as do many

foods such as chocolate. Prohibited Substances can be absorbed through the skin and they are also

contained in some homeopathic and herbal remedies.

c) It is the responsibility of the member, owner and/or producer solely or jointly having custody of a pony, to ensure that nothing is fed, administered or applied to a pony that

contains a Prohibited Substance. Ignorance is no defence.

d) The NPS Office is not authorized to give guidance but, in general terms, all substances prohibited by the FEI from time to time will constitute Prohibited Substances. The NPS does not specify

threshold levels for any Prohibited Substances but will have regard to those published by the FEI

from time to time without being bound by them. Feeds and preparations are available which are

guaranteed to comply with Jockey Club doping rules.

2. Definitions

a) “Drugs Testing" means the examination of a pony by a duly qualified person appointed by the NPS and includes the taking of samples for subsequent analysis of all or any body fluid, tissue,

excreta, hair or skin scrapings at the discretion of the person conducting the examination.

b) "Prohibited Substance" means any quantity of any substance originating externally (whether or not endogenous to the pony) which could influence the pony's performance or bearing including

without limitation stimulants, depressants, tranquilizers, local anaesthetics, anti-inflammatory

agents (including phenylbutazone), antihistamines, muscle relaxants, diuretics and metabolites of

any such substances or masking agents.

3. Drugs Testing Procedure

a) Any pony taking part in classes judged under NPS Rules will be liable to Drugs Testing in accordance with the Drugs Testing procedure laid down by this Rule. A refusal to submit a pony

for Drugs Testing shall constitute a breach of this Rule.

b) The Sampling and Analysis Procedure is described in section 4 below.

c) The presence in the tissues, body fluids, excreta, hair or skin of a pony of a Prohibited Substance shall constitute a breach of this Rule.

d) Any person who administered or attempts to administer or allows or causes to be administered or connives at the administration to a pony of a Prohibited Substance shall be guilty of a breach of

this Rule.

e) Whenever a positive Drugs Test occurs, either on the expiration of the period for requesting confirmatory analysis of Sample B or on the analysis of Sample B proving positive as appropriate,

(See section 4 below for the Sampling and Analysis Procedure)

i) The penalties defined in section 5 below shall be imposed.

ii) The matter shall forthwith be referred to the Disciplinary Panel of the NPS for Stage II -

Further Investigation. The NPS Complaints and Disciplinary Procedures will then be

followed.


20

iii) If the Complaints and Disciplinary Procedures result in no disciplinary proceedings against

any person suspended pursuant to Rule 5 c) then such suspension shall cease immediately

and if no proceedings are initiated against either the owner or producer then the suspension

of the pony pursuant to Rule 5 b) shall also cease immediately.

4. Sampling and Analysis Procedure

a) Drugs Testing should take place as soon as possible after the participation of the pony in its class provided that it does not interfere with its programme in which case the Drugs Testing should take

place as soon as possible after the pony has completed its programme.

b) It is the responsibility of the person in charge of the pony whether it be the owner or the producer or other person to supervise the pony from the time of notification of selection for a Drugs Test

until completion of the Drugs Testing.

c) The owner, producer or other person responsible for the pony or his representative shall be entitled to witness the Drugs Testing from outside the loose box, horse box or testing area without

disturbing the pony but if not present the Drugs Testing will proceed in any event.

d) All samples taken must be kept in a secure place and dispatched to the laboratory selected by the NPS as soon as reasonably possible after collection.

e) The sample must be divided into two parts (hereinafter referred to as “Sample A” and “Sample B”) and the initial analysis of Sample A must be completed within 21 days of receipt of the

sample by the laboratory. If the initial analysis produces a suspected positive result then the NPS

may grant such extension as the laboratory requires to complete the analysis.

f) The NPS shall send the results of the analysis of Sample A to the owner or producer by recorded delivery within 5 days of the results being known.

g) If the result of analysis of Sample A is negative then no further action is required and then the laboratory may forthwith destroy Sample B.

h) If the result of analysis of Sample A is positive then the owner or producer may require confirmatory analysis of Sample B by any laboratory approved by The Horseracing Forensic

Laboratory, provided that a written request for such confirmatory analysis is received by the NPS

within 14 days of dispatch by the NPS of notification of a positive analysis of Sample A.

i) The owner or producer may request that findings be made in respect of particular matters during the analysis of Sample B on the basis that they will be responsible for all additional costs incurred

whatever the result of the analysis of Sample B.

j) If the result of analysis of Sample A is positive and no valid request for confirmatory analysis of Sample B is received then a positive Drugs Test shall be deemed to have occurred and

i) The Drugs Testing Rules step 3 e) shall be carried out.

ii) The owner or producer shall reimburse the NPS the cost of analysis of Sample A forthwith

on demand

k) Upon receipt of a valid request for confirmatory analysis of Sample B, the NPS shall inform the laboratory immediately and the laboratory shall carry out the analysis of Sample B.

l) The NPS shall send the results of the analysis of Sample B to the owner or producer by recorded delivery within 5 days of the results being known.

m) If the result of analysis of Sample B is negative then no further action is required.

n) If the result of analysis of Sample B is positive then a positive Drugs Test has occurred and

i) The Drugs Testing Rules step 3 e) shall be carried out.


21

ii) The person requesting the analysis of Sample B shall reimburse the NPS the cost of analysis of

Sample A and Sample B forthwith on demand

5. Penalties

If the presence of a Prohibited Substance in the tissues, body fluids, excreta, hair or skin of a pony is

confirmed by laboratory analysis carried out pursuant to this Rule then the following penalties shall be

automatically imposed:-

a) The pony shall be disqualified from any class, competition or championship in which it took part on the date of the drugs testing and any subsequent class, competition or championship for which

it qualified on the date of the Drugs Testing and shall forfeit its placings, awards and prize money.

b) The pony shall be suspended from being entered or shown or otherwise taking part in any NPS Affiliated Show pending the outcome of the Complaints and Disciplinary Procedures.

c) The owner and/or producer of such pony shall be suspended from all or any of the rights and privileges of membership of the NPS pending the outcome of the Complaints and Disciplinary

Procedures.

d) Any period of automatic suspension under this Rule shall commence when on the date of receipt of notification of a positive Drugs Testing by the owner or producer by recorded delivery post.

C. COMPLAINTS AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

22


1 Overview

1.1 The attention of Members and other persons is drawn to the disciplinary provisions of the NPS whereby the NPS has wide powers to discipline Members and other persons in the event of failure

to observe any provisions of these Rules or any other regulations, rules and bylaws made by the

NPS. The Rules are intended to ensure that Members compete against each other in NPS

competitions under the fairest possible conditions but inevitably circumstances will arise which

are not precisely covered. In such circumstances wherever possible the spirit of the Rules will be

followed to produce the fairest result for Members.

1.2 All Members of the NPS are bound by its Rules as amended from time to time and shall be

deemed to have consented to all the provisions thereof by reason of all or any of the following:-

(a) submission of a membership application form followed by acceptance of membership.

(b) submission of a request for annual renewal of membership followed by acceptance of such

renewal.

(c) registration of a pony.

(d) registration of the lease/loan of a pony or its transfer.

(e) acceptance of registration as an Authorised Representative.

(f) any other act by a Member pursuant to the Rules of the NPS

1.3 Neither the NPS nor any of its National or Area Officials or Judges accept any financial

responsibility for its or their decisions.

1.4 No Member of the NPS shall conduct himself in a manner or be guilty of behaviour which is

derogatory to the character or prejudicial to the interests of the NPS and in particular (but without

prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) no Member shall behave in an offensive or abusive or

unpleasant manner to any person at any show or at any other location where NPS business is being

transacted or via social media or the internet or via any publication in whatever format or via any

other written or electronic format. Members’ attention is drawn to the NPS Social Media and

Internet Policy set out in section C.5 of this Handbook.

1.5 It is the duty of every Member to assist the officers of the NPS in their investigations of breaches

of the Rules and an unreasonable failure or refusal to assist any such officer in such investigation

will itself constitute a breach of the Rules.

1.6 Members shall not ill-treat ponies at any time whether by misuse or excessive use of a whip or bit

or any item of saddlery or in any other way whatsoever and shall not cause or allow a pony to

jump any hand held obstacle or to be rapped.

1.7 Members are responsible for the actions of any non-members who are Family Members (as

defined below) or who are friends or friends of Family Members or who are employed by them or

assisting, supporting or representing them or otherwise acting on their behalf and any action or

conduct of such non-member which would be a breach of the Rules were he a Member shall

constitute a breach of the Rules by the Member concerned. Family Member shall include a spouse

or civil partner, a partner, a direct descendant or ascendant of the Member or his spouse or civil

partner, brothers, sisters or adopted children of the Member or his spouse or civil partner, or any

other person who is part of the same household as the Member or is in the reasonable opinion of

the NPS a member of the Member’s family in the widest sense


23

1.8 Failure to observe any of the rules may result in disqualification of the pony concerned and the

institution of disciplinary proceedings by the NPS against the person breaking the rules in

accordance with the NPS Rules. In the event of disqualification of a pony after a cup, rosette or

prize money has been awarded, such cup, rosette or prize money must be returned forthwith to the

Show or the NPS as appropriate.

2. Objections and Complaints

2.1 Any objection or complaint relating to the rules of a particular Show Executive should be made to

that Show Executive in accordance with the procedure set out in such rules, except a complaint

relating to a J.M.B. Certificate or a NPS Judge.

2.2 Members wishing to register an objection or complaint, whether it is against the Judge or

Exhibitor or the organizer of a Show or otherwise, should write to the NPS Office. Two separate

letters must be received from unrelated members of different families and they must be received

within fourteen days of the date of the event giving rise to the objection or complaint.

THE LETTERS MUST BE SENT BY “SIGNED FOR” OR “SPECIAL” Delivery. The matter

will then be dealt with in accordance with the procedure laid down in the NPS Rules.

2.3 Whilst officiating, a NPS Judge, Course Builder or Steward, when wishing to register an objection

or complaint against a member, should write to the NPS Office. A Show Secretary wishing to

register an objection or complaint against a Judge or member, should write to the NPS Office.

THE LETTER MUST BE SENT BY “SIGNED FOR” OR “SPECIAL” Delivery and must be

received within fourteen days of the date of the event giving rise to the objection or complaint.

The matter will then be dealt with in accordance with the procedure laid down in the NPS Rules.

3. JMB Objections

3.1 Any dispute or complaint in respect of a JMB Certificate must be referred to the JMB Stewards

and will be dealt with in accordance with their Rules. If an objection is lodged against a height

certificate or the NPS requests a re-measurement the pony must be re-measured within 21 days of

the notification by the J.M.B. of the objection or request. Unless the pony is re-measured within

this time its NPS registration will be withdrawn and the matter may be referred to the Disciplinary

Committee and the membership of the owner, at the time of the request for a re-measurement will

be suspended.

3.2 The NPS have the right to request a measurement on any pony registered on an Annual JMB

Height Certificate whether or not it has been issued during the current year or on any Full Height

Certificate. The pony must be measured at the owner's expense within 21 days of notification by

the NPS

3.3 Unless the pony is measured within this time its NPS registration will be withdrawn and the

matter may be referred to the Disciplinary Committee and the membership of the owner, at the

time of the request for a measurement will be suspended.

3.4 An animal that received an objection to its JMB height certificate which is

subsequently upheld will forfeit any previous qualification gained for Horse of the Year Show,

RIHS, or NPS Championships Shows in the current year and the qualification will be

passed to the next eligible exhibit with the eligible placings.

The Joint Measurement Board Limited,

P.O. Box 322, Horley, Surrey, RH6 OWS

Tel:- 01293 862101


24

4. Bylaws of the National Pony Society

4.1 Good Conduct, Discipline and Complaints

a) These Bylaws are made by the Council pursuant to the Articles, which confer on the Council full power, either itself or any other standing committee or sub-committee to whom its powers in that

behalf may be delegated, to make rules and Bylaws for the good conduct and discipline of

members of the NPS in relation to the affairs of the NPS and for the good conduct and discipline

of all persons (whether members of the NPS or not) entering, competing, showing or otherwise

taking part in any Affiliated Show.

b) These Bylaws are binding upon every member of the NPS and (so far as practicable) every person (whether a member of the NPS or not) entering, competing, showing or otherwise taking part in

any Affiliated Show, and every member and any other such person as aforesaid shall accept as

final any decision given under or pursuant to these Bylaws. Whenever a Junior Member or other

person being a minor enters, competes, shows or otherwise takes part in any Affiliated Show, any

person accompanying such Junior Member or minor and being his parent or guardian or otherwise

being (either generally or for the particular occasion) in loco parentis to such Junior Member or

minor shall be deemed for all purposes of these Bylaws to be taking part therein.

4.2 Complaints

a) Subject to the provisions within this section, any complaint (except a complaint relating to a Joint Measurement Board Certificate which shall be dealt with under Joint Measurement Board Rules

or a complaint relating to a judge which shall be dealt with by the Judges Enquiry Committee, that

any member of the NPS or any other person has or may have committed or has or may have been

party or privy to any breach of these Bylaws or has been guilty of conduct which has or may have

been derogatory to the character or prejudicial to the interests of the NPS shall in the first instance

be submitted in writing to the Chairman, or Disciplinary Committee.

b) Any complaint so submitted shall forthwith be investigated by the Chairman, or Disciplinary Committee of the NPS as appropriate and if he can settle the complaint satisfactorily to the person

making the complaint and to the person against whom the complaint is made he shall do so and

thereupon the matter shall be considered at an end. Any complaint so settled shall be recorded by

the officer investigating the same and brought to the attention of the Council.

c) If any complaint cannot be disposed of by the Chairman or Disciplinary Committee, as appropriate he shall report the complaint to the Disciplinary Committee and shall forward full

details of the investigation together with all documents connected therewith.

4.3 Disciplinary Committee

a) The Disciplinary Committee shall consist of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman, the Executive Members of Council. The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Disciplinary

Committee shall be three.

b) Upon receipt of the report of any complaint the Disciplinary Committee shall carry out further investigation of the complaint if it considers this to be necessary and shall decide whether to deal

with the complaint summarily or to refer the same to the Stewards by reason to the gravity or the

circumstances of the complaint.


25

c) If the Disciplinary Committee shall decide to deal with the complaint it shall proceed by way of written submissions only and no party shall be entitled to attend in person or be represented.

d) In any case in which in its opinion any person has committed or been party to or privy to any breach of any Bylaw or has been guilty of conduct which is derogatory to the character or prejudicial to the interests of the NPS, the Disciplinary Committee may :-

i. admonish such person and caution him as to his future conduct; ii. fine such person up to a maximum amount of £5,000;

iii. direct that such person being a Member shall be suspended from all or any of the rights and privileges of membership of the NPS for such period as it shall determine not exceeding one year;

iv. direct that such person shall not enter any horse or pony at any Affiliated Show or otherwise take part in any Affiliated Show for such period as it may determine not exceeding three calendar months;

v. direct that any horse or pony belonging to such a person or ridden by such person at the time of the commission of the offence shall be disqualified from the class in which it was taking part at the time of the commission of the offence; and/or

vi. direct that any horse or pony belonging to such person at the time of the commission of the offence or at any time thereafter during any period of suspension shall (whether or not still belonging to such person) be suspended from being entered or shown or otherwise taking part in any Affiliated Show for such period as it may determine not exceeding three months and such suspension shall be operative even if the Owner ceases to be a Member of the NPS or the horse or pony to be a registered horse or pony at any time prior to the termination of the period of such suspension;

vii. In relation to a breach of Rules relating to Drug Testing, impose no penalty provided that it is satisfied that the Prohibited Substance was not administered intentionally by the Owner or Producer or by any other person whether connected with the Owner or Producer or not and that all reasonable precautions had been taken to avoid a breach of the NPS Drug Testing Rules.

e) The Disciplinary Committee shall hear any appeals from decisions of Special Show Stewards in

accordance with the Rules from time to time. In such case the Disciplinary Committee shall invite submissions from the appellant and the Special Show Steward whose decision is being appealed before making its determination. The decision of the Disciplinary Committee on such appeal shall be final and binding on the parties.

f) The Disciplinary Committee shall determine references from Special Show Stewards requesting the imposition of greater penalties or otherwise in accordance with the Rules from time to time. In such case the reference shall be dealt with as if a complaint had been made and referred pursuant to Bylaw c).

g) Any officer designated by the Council shall within seven days of the decision of the Disciplinary Committee notify the parties to the complaint in writing of the findings of the Disciplinary Committee and of any penalties imposed. Any person upon whom a penalty is imposed by the Disciplinary Committee (other than pursuant to Bylaw e) or f)) may by notice in writing given to any officer designated by the Council within 14 days of the decision of the Disciplinary Committee require the complaint to be submitted to the Stewards for consideration PROVIDED that as a condition precedent to the complaint being so submitted such person shall deposit with the officer a sum equal to ten times the then current membership subscription for a Showing Member. If after investigation the Stewards shall decide in their absolute discretion that the matter is trivial or frivolous the deposit shall be forfeited to the NPS.


26

5. Social Media and Internet Policy

5.1 Introduction

a) The NPS acknowledges the importance of the internet and social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, home web-pages, chat rooms, BBM and all other forms of electronic

communication and the role which “social media” plays in the day to day lives of members.

b) This policy note is to remind members that the Rules of the NPS apply to members when using social media and the internet. Failure to adhere to this policy note could lead to disciplinary

action being taken against a member.

5.2 Using Social Media

a. You should be aware that the NPS may from time to time carry out internet searches to identify postings which include references to the NPS and its members.

b. NPS produced images are the subject of copyright and should not be copied or used in social media save as provided in the NPS website user terms and conditions.

c. You should ensure that any material that you transmit or post to social media is clearly stated to be your personal view and is not held out to be, or could be mistaken as, the view of the NPS.

d. You must not post or transmit any material which could damage the name or reputation of the NPS, its members or former members, or which is derogatory to the character of or prejudicial to

the interests of the NPS.

e. You must not post or transmit any material relating to the NPS, members or former members or their horses or ponies, or which could otherwise be associated with or which may reasonably be

attributed as coming from the NPS:

i. that is threatening, defamatory, obscene, indecent, seditious, offensive, pornographic, abusive, liable to incite racial hatred, discriminatory, menacing, scandalous, inflammatory,

blasphemous, in breach of confidence, in breach of privacy or which may cause annoyance,

distress or inconvenience; or

ii. which constitutes or encourages conduct that would be in breach of the NPS. Rules, or constitutes a criminal offence, or which could give rise to civil liability, or otherwise be contrary to the laws

of, or infringe the rights of any third party in, the UK or any other country in the world.

f. Any breach of this policy note may constitute a breach of the NPS Rules and could also lead to civil and/or criminal proceedings being brought against you.

5.3 Disclosure under Law or Regulation

You should be aware that the NPS will fully co-operate with any law enforcement authorities or court

order requesting or directing the NPS to disclose the identity or locate anyone posting any material in

breach of this policy. If we are requested by the police or any other regulatory or government

authority investigating suspected illegal activities to provide your personal information, the NPS is

entitled to do so.

D. RULES FOR HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW QUALIFIERS

27

D. RULES FOR HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW QUALIFIERS The rules in this section only apply to Horse of the Year Show qualifiers.

1. All ponies competing in Horse of the Year Show plaited classes affiliated to the NPS must have a JMB Full Height Certificate or a JMB Annual Height Certificate issued in the current year. For

plaited ponies a copy must be sent to the society the pony is registered with and for Mountain and

Moorland ponies a copy of the certificate must be sent to Grandstand Media after qualification.

2. Judges on relevant full NPS “A” panels, TSR H, BSPS, Ponies UK Platinum or breed society panels may judge the following classes.

a) Open Leading Rein and Open First Ridden classes b) Open 128 cms, 138 cms and 148 cms Show Pony classes c) Open 133 cms, 143 cms and 153 cms Working Hunter Pony classes d) Open Leading Rein of Hunter Type classes e) Open 122 cms, 133 cms, 143 cms and 153 cms Show Hunter Pony classes f) Open 153 cms & 158 cms Intermediate Show Riding, Show Hunter and Working Hunter classes g) M&M Lead Rein and First Ridden classes h) Open M&M Ridden classes (Except BSPS Judges) i) M&M Working Hunter Pony classes j) M&M Junior Ridden

3. Shows should pick judges from within the main body of the panel and ensure judges have adequate experience within the field they are being asked to judge. Judges must be approved by the Horse of

the Year Show Office.

4. The Horse of the Year Show qualification is subject to confirmation from Horse of the Year Show.

5. Where these classes are held under NPS rules and there is a conflict between these rules and the general rules and regulations of the Horse of the Year Show, the latter will prevail.

A full copy of the Horse of the Year Show rules can be obtained from:

Grandstand Media Ltd

Stoneleigh Events

Stoneleigh Park

Warwickshire

CV8 2LZ

www.hoys.co.uk

Tel: 02477 712110

Email: [email protected]

http://www.hoys.co.uk/

E. RULES FOR M&M RIDDEN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

28

E. RULES FOR M&M RIDDEN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

1. M&M Open Ridden National Championship MM-OR

The NPS/RINGSIDE STUD M&M Open Ridden National Championship

.

a) Stallions, mares and geldings four years old and over, registered in the main body of their respective Breed Society stud book. Two or five classes as follows:

Class 1 Class 2

Dartmoor Connemara

Exmoor Dales

Shetland Fell

Welsh A Highland

Welsh B New Forest

Welsh C

Welsh D

or

Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 Class 5

Dartmoor Welsh A Dales New Forest Welsh C

Exmoor Welsh B Fell Connemara Welsh D

Shetland Highland

b) Rider any age, except stallions (see rules in section A 3.2).

c) The owner does not have to be an NPS member for the pony to enter this competition but only ponies owned by NPS Qualifying or Life members can qualify for the final.

d) The highest placed pony, owned by an NPS member, in each class goes forward to the final. Where this pony has already qualified the pony standing next in line, which is owned by an NPS

member and has not already qualified, receives the qualification. Qualification goes no lower than

Documents

2016 Showing Competition Rules - NPS Scotland...A – RULES FOR SHOWING 3 A. RULES FOR SHOWING All NPS competitions must be run under the NPS Rules defined in this Rules Book. At shows